Machine for pressing seams



m'i W9 f 1" s. cHlNNlcl MACHINE FOR PRESSING SEAMS Filed April 7, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 QN SI1/Umm iiyama' sg NN Mm April 16, 1940. s. cHlNNlcl IIACHINE FOR PRESSING SEAMS Filed April 7, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 April i6, 1940. s. cHlNNlcl MACHINE FOR PRESSING SEAMS Filed Apil 7, 195s Summa.;

8 Sheets-Sheet 4 d i'. Y* gmc/FWO@ [Z Bsl/mmf www m N .N. H c S.

M 11m 16, 1940. s CH|NN|C| 197,448

MACHINE FOR PRESSING SEAMS Filed April 7, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 gmc/whom Sa/fo/fe Zw/abb' April 16, 1940. s CHlNNlCl 2,197,448

MACHINE FOR PRESSING SEAMS Filed April 7, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet T mmf fuma April 16, 1940. s. cHlNNlcl MACHINE FOR PRESSING SEAMS Filed April 7, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 (7 v mmf kmfw/m wf/KM LM- Ww,

Patented Apr. 16, 1940 y Y y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,197,448 MACHINE Fon PnEssING sEAMs salvatore chimici, Vineland, N. J. Application April 7, 1936, Serial No. 73,179

15 Claims. (Cl. 38-14) My invention relates to machines for pressing the pressing iron laterally over the material; seams, and particularly to means and a method and then, the operatorcan trip or reset the autoadapted for use in pressing the seams of garmatic control means to lift the pressing iron ments, such as the leg seams of trousers, sleeve bodily from the material, without sliding the iron 5 seams of coats and other garments, longitudinal or moving the same' laterally over the goods, and 5 seams in coats, skirts and the like, and in fact to return the parts to the starting position.

in pressing any substantially long and more or With the above and other objects in View, less straight seam in any garment or other piece which Will be apparent to those skilled in the art, of fabric material. my invention includes certain novel features of l A primary object is to provide a pressing maconstruction and combinations and arrangel0 chine of this character that is substantially automents of parts, and certain steps and procedures matic in operation, requiring manual control only in carrying out the method, which will be hereto start forward and toinitiate return movement inafter more fully set forthfin connection with of the pressing iron; it being a purpose to inthe drawings and then pointed out in the claims.

l corporate foot actuated control means so that In the drawings: Y 15 the operator of the machine has both hands free Figure 1 is a 'view in side elevation of a mawith which to adjust and manipulate the cloth chine embodying my apparatus and adapted for or garment or fabric upon the Work support or use in carrying out my method, the illustration pressing buck, thereby saving energy and time, showing the machine from the front side.

and generally increasing the efliciency of the op Fig- 2 iS a tOD plan VeW 20 erator, as well as saving time and cost in the Fig. 3 iS an enlarged View in end elevation pressing operation. showing the machine as it appears when viewed Another object is to provide a machine parfrom the right hand end of the disclosure in ticularly useful in pressing or finishing seams of Figure 1. newly mlade garments, where both hands of the Fig. 4 is a fragmentary VieW -ShOWiIlg the 2li operator mustbe free for handling, placement pleSSiIlg Shift means.

and manipulation of the gannent or material, Fia 5 iS a fragmentary perspective View illuswhere rapid and eiiicient results are required, and trailing the Sea-H1 i'IlOSteU-ing CODtIOl means: Where the garment must be finished in new conf Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective VieW illus- 3o dition and without production or sho-wing of trating the moistening valve control rod. 30 shine or gloss at the pressed seam or upon any Fig. '7 iS a flagmelltaly View, Partly ill SeCtOll, adjacent portion of the garment. Showing the seam moistening control means.

A further object is to so construct the machine Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional View showing that a single operator can use both hands in the leverage arrangement for the sea-m meistenplacing, handling and manipulating the garing Control mechanism'. 35v

ment or fabric, and the operation of the ma- Fig- 9 iS a fragmentary Viewr t0y SllOW the Cal'- chine can be entirely and exclusively controlled riaee mounting. by the use of the operatcrs foot, only two foot Fig- 10 iS a fragmeHtaryvDeTSDeCtVe View illusoperations being necessary, one to initiate or tIatiIlg the mOuIltirlg 0f the IOII SIlppOTtIIg start movement of the forward or pressing cycle Standard upOIl the Carriage. 40-

or operation, and a second manipulation to re- Fig- 1l' iS a fragmentary Side elevation of the lease the vpressing iron from pressing position releaSa-ble means by Which the ilOIl SulODOltiIlg and to return the parts to the inoperative or Standard iS lOCked uDGIl tl'le` Carriage- Smrting position Fig. l2 'is a fragmentary-viewshowing the Still another purpose and object lies in the intrip t0 leleaSe the ilOIl Supporting standard vfrom 45` clusion and the embodiment of automatically v itsloeked fixed relation uDOIl the-Carriage. operated means and mechanism of such char- Fig. 13 iS a perspective View SllOWIlg the fOOtV acter that when operation `is initiated the seam treadle and parts of the Operating and Control will be opened or smoothed under very slight linkage and leveragepressure, the material will be meiste-ned along Fig. 14 vis a fragmentary View in elevation 4to 50 the line of the seam, the pressing iron will be better show parts of the foot actuated control carried to a position adjacent to and over the mechanism; l v seam, and then direct pressure will be automati- Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view in elevation caily applied through said iron to dry and press showing the brake means.

thesmocthedmaterial Without moving or sliding Fig. 16 is a fragmentary broken View showing 55 be of elongated form and is carried by the sup-v porting legs I, the frame structure including the longitudinally extending top supporting bars 2, transverse supporting bars as indicated at 3 and 4, and such other and necessary longitudinal and transverse and vertical bars or frame members as may be desirable and advantageous. In the.

present instance I have shown this frame structure and the various frame members as being made up of usual forms of bars, angles and channels, but it will of course be understood that the leg members I can'be cast or otherwise formed to be of any desired and convenient shape, and that the frame structure can be made up and can be assembled in any desired construction and arrangement which will serve the purposes of use.

The disclosure in Fig. 1 shows a machine constructed in accordance with my invention and adapted to carry out my improved method, and the illustration is taken from the forward or operating side of the machine. A standard 6 is stationarily and rigidly mounted at one end and adjacent to the forward side of the supporting frame structure, to be carried by the longitudinal top bars 2, and upon this standard 6 a pressing buck l is stationarily and rigidly mounted. This pressing buck is preferably made of hollow construction and is elongated, the pressing buck being preferably curved or roundedl transversely, as illustrated in Fig. 3. This pressing buck 1 is mounted upon the standard 6 with one end extending inwardly over the middle portion of the supporting frame, and thus the pressing buck is presented as an elongated rounded portion adapted to serve as a pressing or ironing board, and over which the leg of a pair of trousers, the sleeve of a coat, or in fact any other seamed garment or material can be placed with the seamed edges presented uppermost or outwardly. The upper or pressing surface of this pressing buck I can be fitted with a canvas cover, can be padded, or can be otherwise treated or covered to give a suitable and satisfactory pressing surface, and the purpose in making the pressing buck I hollow is to permit heating thereof. Steam inlet and outlet pipes 8 and 9 are connected at the outer end of the pressing buck I in communication with the hollow interior, and thus by making connection with a ,suitable source of steam supply the pressing buck 1 `can be heated to any ldesired temperature. j The inner or extending end of this pressing buck'I is preferably rounded over to permit the edge of the material at one end of the seam to be drawn down so that this edge will be slightly below the main top portion of the pressing buck 1.

As stated, the pressing bucklis stationarily mounted adjacent to the forward side and one end of the elongated supporting frame structure, and the pressing iron Ill must be manipulated and must travel and function relatively with respect to this positioning and'mounting of the pressing buck, and must at the same time be actuated to y carrying wheels entirely clear the pressing buck to permit placement and removal of the seamed material to be held and supported thereon during the seam opening or smoothing and pressing operations. 'Ihe supporting frame has trackways II and I2 mounted longitudinally thereof to be carried by transverse bars 4, or other parts of the supporting frame structure, preferably below the top supporting bars 2 and preferably rearwardly upon the longitudinal extent of the frame. A carriage structure I3 has mounted at its ends, and extending transversely, the axles I4 which have thereon I5 and I6. These carrying wheels I5 and I6 are adapted to support the carriage I3 for traveling movement longitudinally of the frame structure upon the track rails II and I2, and a side flange: of the carriage depends downwardly along the outer side of track rail II. Rollers I8 are provided to bear against the outer side of track rail II and to reduce 1ateral friction and prevent lateral displacement. A rack bar I9 is tted upon the flange portion I'I of the f carriage and is provided with elongated slotted openings 20 through which pins 2l on the carriage are slidably received. This rack bar has rack teeth provided at 22, and the bar is made sufficiently long to accommodate a full length of travel as desired for the carriage.

A pressing iron supporting standard 23 extends or is mounted in upright relation upon the car riage I3 so that it will travel between longitudinal frame members 2 and will have free travel in a line behind the position of mounting of the pressing buck l when the carriage is moved. This iron supporting standard 23 has its upper end widened out forwardly and the widened end is bifureated to provide a guideway 24 extending from front to back of the support. A pressing iron carrying bar 25 is pivotally or swingably mounted in this guideway 2d by a pivot bolt or pin 2B, and this pressing iron supporting bar 25 carries the hollow elongated pressing iron I at its forward end, which iron is thus disposed and held in a longitudinal line substantially parallel with the pressing buck I and relatively substantially vertically above or over the pressing buck I.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the hollow pressing iron I0 has its lower pressing face substantially concave to thus approximately t and conform to the convex or transversely rounded pressing face of the pressing buck 'I, and the pressing iron will be made of a transverse width su'icient to press upon and cover the entire seamed edges and as much of the material on each side laterally from the seam as may be found desirable. The pressing iron is made hollow and is provided with steam inlet and outlet connections at 2l and 28, or at any other desired and suitable point which will not interfere with the movement and manipulation of the iron, so that the iron can be heated to any desired temperature. It is preferable that the connections to the steam inlet and outlet passages be made by means of flexible hose or tubing to thus allow free manipulation and movement, but it will of course be understood that the iron can be heated in any other desired or approved manner, as by the use of electricity, gas flames, or the like.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, a spring 29 is provided upon the pressing iron supporting standard 23 to exert resilient force upon the swinging arm 25 to thus normally hold the hollow pressing iron Illy fill to regulate the bearing force exerted by the spring 29.

As shown in Fig. '7, the hollow pressing iron has a wet steam or moistening steam passage and chamber 3| near the forward end and adjacent to the lower' face and communicating steam or moisture escape openings or passages 32 are provided through the pressing face of the pressing iron, substantially centered and aligned longitudinally with respect to the pressing face of the nose of the iron. It is desired that steam or moisture be applied only at certain times during the operation of the machine, and consequently the chamber 3| must be separated from the hollow opening in the body of the iron and steam must be admitted thereto only at certain intervals. To accomplish admission of steam I provide a normally closed valve 33 in an inlet or passage 34 establishing communication from the main body portion of the iron to the moistening or steam chamber 3|. As stated, this valve will be normally closed, and a handle or lever 35 is provided to be depressed when it is desired that the valve be opened to permit flow of steam from the main hollow body of the iron through passage 34 into chamber 3l, and consequently to permit escape of steam through the moistening openings 32.

As has been hereinbefore described, the carriage I3 is mounted on wheels I5 and IB traveling on tracks H and I2, and as the arm 25 and the pressing iron Il) are extended laterally toward the front of the machine, there is a tendency toward the iron supporting standard 23 to exert a tilting force upon the carriage. To resist this tilting of the carriage and to insure that the carriage will at all times travel properly upon the tracks II and I2, the wheel I6 is grooved on its bearing face and a track member 36 is provided on the upper side of this wheel I6 to fit within the groove of the wheel and to prevent upward tilting movement of the carriage due to the upsetting or overbalanced weight of the iron.

A motor 31, receiving electricity from any suitable source, or any other suitable power unit, is mounted upon the frame structure and is provided with a drive shaft 38. A control switch generally indicated at 39 is provided for the motor, and a brake 40 is associated with the drive shaft 38. A driven shaft 4I is journalled in suitable bearings upon the frame structure and through miter gear 42 and miter pinion 43 a driving connection is established from the drive shaft 38 to the driven shaft 4I. As illustrated in vz Figure 1, it is perhaps desirable that the gearing be of the speed reducing type to thus slow the rotation of shaft 4I. This driven shaft 4l has a pinion 4d on its upper end which pinion is in mesh with the teeth. 22 of the rack bar I9. The motor or power unit 31 is of reversible type,` and the switch 3S is also of such construction that the motor can be started in forward rotation, can be stopped in neutral position, and can be started in reverse r'otation, the brake 4U being of such construction that it will function eiliciently upon both forward and reverse rotation of shaft 38. By this arrangement of power means, it is possible to move the carriage I3 longitudinally in forward and return movement upon the trackways Il and I2, as the tooth portion 22 of the rack bar i9 is made sufficiently long to permit such movement due to forward and reverse rotation of shaft 4I and consequently through the gear pinion 44.

The forward movement of the carriage I3 is to buck 1.

be accomplished with the pressing iron I raised to be spaced above the top of the pressing buck l, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 17, so that as the seamed material is placed upon the pressing buck I and the pressing iron I0 moves longitudinally alongthe length of the pressing buck, the two edges of the seamed material will be opened or spread back, asshown in Fig, 16, and these edges will be smoothed down against the main portions of the material on each side of the seam, without the exertion of suicient force to press the seam, and also without sliding the iron over and in pressing contact with the material, which sliding of the iron while inpressingcontact. will produce shine and will cause uneven heating and pressing. As shown in Fig. 17, the moistening openings 32 are so located that they will substantially center upon the line of stitching between vthe seamed edges of the material, and consequently as steam escapes through these openings 32 the material will be moistened along the line of the seam. As wet steam is used, the steam escaping under pressure will penetrate the material to moisten the fabrics and the yarn or thread thereof, and the degree and quantity of moistening can be regulated by providing a greater or lesser number of steam escape openings. Further, should it be desired to moisten the seamed edges over a wider area, the openings 32 can be made as slots, can be staggered or spread laterally, or can be arranged or formed in any other desired manner, such construction being well within the knowledge of an ordinary mechanic and being not here particularly illustrated.

It is desirable that the steam escapethrough the openings 32 to moisten material only during forward travel of the pressing iron while the seamed edges are being spread and smoothed, and with this in mind I provide -steam control means as better illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 8.

upon a part of the carriage I3 have springs 49 thereon normally `exerting resilient `pressure against the cross head 41 to push up the link 46 and consequently raise the arm d5. A steam valve control bar 50 is disposed longitudinally upon the frame and is slidably mounted at its ends upon upright pins and 52 which pins are mounted on the supporting frame structure. Coil springs 53 are provided around the lower portions of the slide pins 5| and 52 to normally exert pressure to raise the bar 50. This bar 53 is disposed to be closely adjacent tothe path of movement of the cross head 41,y as the carriage I3 is moved longitudinally upon the frame, and the cross head has a Vbearing roller .54 extending laterally therefrom to travel beneath the lower edge of the bar 50. This bar 5! has the middle portion thereof widened downwardly, as at 55, and this widened portion has its ends tapered. as at 56 and 51.

A treadle 58 is provided on the forward side of the frame and is located to be conveniently accessible to the foot of an operator when standing in position to readily place and handle seamed garments or fabrics upon the pressing This treadle is pivoted or swingably mounted at `59 to thus be capable f' rocking movement both upwardly and downwardly at its inner end, the'treadle being consequently of the double acting type. This treadle has a link 6|] at the inner end thereof v connected with an arm 6| on a control shaft '62 which is journalled in bearings to extend longitudinally along the frame and adjacent to the brake 4I]V and the switch 39. An arm l63 on this shaft 62 Iis connected by a link 64 with the switchI arm 65 of the starting and reversing switch 38, and as the forward end of the treadle 58 is depressed the link 6|) draws upon arm 6| and 'rocks the shaft'62 to throw the switch arm 65 toY a position to connect the motor with the source k'of current for forward rotation and operation of the motor.

The brake 48 has a brake band 66 normally held againsta brake drum y|51 on the drive shaft 38 by means of a pull spring 68, and this brake band or shoe 66 has an extension arm 69 projecting therefrom to a position adjacent to the control shaft 62. A brake releasing cam 10 is mounted on the control shaft 62 in position to engage'with the arm 66 when the shaft 62 is rocked to actuate the switch arm 65 for either forward or reverse operation of the motor 31, and thus as the treadle'58 is swung downwardly at its forward end current is supplied to the motor for forward operation of the same and the brake 40 is released so that the drive shaft 38 can rotate and can impart rotary motion to the driven shaft 4| to cause' the pinion 44 engaging with the teeth 22 of the rack bar to move the carriage'tovvard the right hand end of the frame, as the parts are illustrated in Figure 1, this being herein referred to as forward movement. This forward travel of the carriage moves the pressing iron longitudinally above and substantially parallel with the pressing face of the pressing buck 1 and as has been stated, it is desirable that the face of the pressing iron be sufficiently spaced above the face of the pressing buck to avoid pressing of the material, this spacing or separation beingshown in Figs. 3 and 16 and 17. However, it is desirable that the steam supply to the steam escape openings 32 be established almost immediately upon this forward movement of the pressing iron, and as the steam valve 33 is opened by pull exerted upon rod 46, it is necessary that the steam control bar be sufciently lowered against the pressure of springs 53 to engage the roller 54 and exert the required pulling pressure upon link or rod 46.

A link 1| is connected with the forward end of the treadle 58 and is connected with the outer end of an arm 12 extending laterally from a shaft 13journalled transversely in suitable bearings upon the frame. A shaft 14 is j ournalled longitudinally upon the frame structure adjacent to the steam control rod or bar 50, `and arms 15 and 16 extending from and fixed uponthis shaft 14 engage with the upper side or edge of the steam `control bar 50 adjacent to its ends. The shaft 13 has a second arm 11 extending radially therefrom and a draw rod or link 18 connected with this arm 11 is pivotally connected at 19 with the outer end of the arm 15. Through slot 60, or other appropriate and suitable lost motion means or formations, the rod or link 18 is connected only as a draw link, and this link and the arms 15 and 16 will in no way serve to raise the bar 58, suchraisin'g movement being accomplished by the springs 53. As the treadle 58 has its forward end swung downwardly the rod 18 will swing the arms 15 and 16 downwardly to lowerthe bar so into' such position that the @am portion 55 thereof will engage the roller 54 and will swing the arm 35 to open the steam valve 33. The cam end 51 engages` the roller 54 after the iron I8 has traveled a sufcient forward distance to bring the moistening openings 32 over the goods or garment support as held upon the pressing buck 1, and the main body 55 of the cam portion will hold the moistening valve 33 open substantially until the iron ||l reaches the end of its forward travel, at which point the roller 54 will travel down the cam end 51 and the drawing force on rod or link 46 will be relieved so that arm 35 is free to rise to permit valve 33 to close, thus cutting off the supply of steam through the moistening openings 32. 'Ihe pressing iron then is in substantially the position shown in Fig. 1'1, the two edges of the seamed material having been spread and smoothed back, but the iron being sufficiently spaced from the pressing buck to avoid the exertion of pressing force while the pressing iron is being moved.

When the pressing iron has been carried to its full position over the material upon the pressing buck and travel of the iron has been stopped, my machine and method contemplate the application and exertion of direct force upon the heated pressing iron to press and dry the material held and supported upon the pressing buck, without lateral or endwise sliding movement of the pressing iron. This direct application of pressing force to the pressing iron is accomplished by rocking the arm 25 around its pivot or swinging mounting 26 to thus lower the pressing iron ||J toward and to cause pressing pressure upon the material supported upon the pressing buck, this pressing position being illustrated in Fig. 17.

The arm 25 is readily swung by means of a draw link or rod 8|, and when pulling force is exerted upon this link or rod the pressing iron will be clamped down with direct pressing force and pressure. This pull upon the rod 8| is readily accomplished through force resultant from the travel of the carriage 3; but, as above stated, it is a primary purpose of my invention that this pressure shall not be applied to the pressing iron while the iron is moving over the goods or garment, and consequently it is necessary that the movement of the iron be stopped and the movement of the carriage be continued, to accomplish the pressing force from the moving carriage. With this purpose in View, the rack bar 9, which normally travels with the carriage is associated with the main parts of the carriage to permit slight longitudinal movement, through the slot 26, and it is therefore desirable that lock or latch means be provided, as best shown in Fig. 11, to normally hold the rack bar |9 against independent movement and to yet permit continued movement of this rack bar when the pressing iron l0 has been brought to the end of its forward stroke. 'Ihe rack bar 22 has a notch or groove 82 in itsupper edge adjacent to the forward end of the body of the carriage I3, and a latch member 83 is pivotally and swingably mounted at 84 on the body of the carriage. An extension arm 85 is provided on the carriage |3 to extend forwardly over the latch member 83, and a toggle link 86 rswingably connected to extend upwardly from the latch member 83 has a roller 81 on the free end thereof to engage with this extension bar 85. A pressure spring 88 is mounted on the rear side of the toggle link 86 to normally exert resilient force to swing the link to bring the roller 8l into bearing against the inner side of the eX- tension bar' 85, and thus the toggle link normally exerts pressure to move the latch memberl 83 downwardly into recess or notch 82 and to hold this latch member in this latched position so that the rack bar i9 and the main body of the carriage I3 are coupled to move together. A latch releasing trip bar 89 is carried by a suitable portion of the `frame at a point to engage the toggle link 88 and swing this link back and at the same` time exert swinging force upon the latch member 83 to raise this latch member and release the same. It is desirable that a spring 99 be provided between extensions 9| and 92 on the rack bar i9 and the carriage body portion, to thus cushion between these two portions when return movement of the rack bar is initiated, which return movement will remove the toggle link 86 from proximity to the latch tripping bar 89 and will permit the latch to again engage in the recess 82 to lock the bar and the carriage structure 4te travel together.

With the link structure as shown in Fig. 4, it is possible to exert a considerable pulling force upon the rod 9|, and 'to thus obtain the desired clamping and pressing force upon the pressing iron l0. This rod 8l has at its lower end a stirrup 93 which has mounted therein a roller 99. A pressure bar 55 is pivoted at 96, adjacent to the right hand end of the machine and extends in normally substantially horizontal relation approximately to the left hand end of the machine frame, this rod being swingably mounted upon its pivot 98and being guided at its free end by guide members 87 to thus be held against lateral twisting or shifting. The stirrup 93 of the rod 8| is fitted around this pressure rod 95 and the rolier 94 is in position to engage the lower edge of the bar 95. A lever 98 is swingably mounted at one end, as at 99, upon the frame structure and has its free end extending normally substantially horizontally. A link is pivotally connected at one end with the free swinging end of pressure lever 95, and at its other end is connected with the lever 98 at a point spaced from the swinging mounting at 99. A cam bar IGI is pivotally connected in its middle portion with a link |02 which is connected adjacent to the free end of lever 98, and an adjustable link or connecting rod |03 is connected with the middle portion of this lever 98 and with one end of the cam bar |0|, to dispose this cam bar at an upwardly inclined relation with respect to the lever 98. It is preferable that the links or rods |00 and |03 be made adjustable so that the parts can be adjusted to suit the requirements of the particular use to which the machine is lbeing put. An eX- tension arm |04 depends from the rack bar I9, and this extension arm has at its lower end a roller |05. 'Ihe parts are so constructed and positioned and mounted that, as the latch member 83 is released and the rack bar I9 continues its forward travel, the wheel or roller |05 will engage at the upper inclined edge of cam bar |0| and the associated parts will then be moved from the dotted line position as shown in Fig. 4 to the full line position of this gure. It will be seen that the pressure bar 95 is swung down and as this bar engages the roller 94 mounted in the stirrup 93, a powerful drag or drawing force is exerted through rod 8| to swing arm 25 downwardly and to consequently lower the pressing iron l0 against the material held and supported on the pressing buck.

At the Sametime, means must be provided to stop forward movement of the rack bar portion of `the carriage so that 4the vpressing iron will not be moved, and this is accomplished by providing 6l and thus .substantially immediately stop rotation of the shaft 3,58 and hold the various moving parts ofthe machine in this position.

vAs the pressing iron 4Ill and the pressing buck are heated @and a powerful pressing force is exerted directly by .the pressing iron |0, the seam of the 'garment or` material willbe Iiattened and dried and pressed and set, `and at the same time all possibility of production of shine due to moving parts is avoided as a direct pressure is employedyin the pressing operation.

,As stated, thefoot treadle 58 is adapted to swing to two diierent operative positions, and when the operator manipulates the pedal to raise the outer end, the rod or link 60 then swings the arm 6| 'and turns the control shaft 62 suflcently to .raise arm 'l2 vto release pressure upon the steam valve opening bar v50 and to throw the arm 65 of thermotor control switch 39 to the reverse setting, and to move cam 10 to a posi- ,tionvto releasethe brake band or shoe 66 from thebrake'drum 6l. `As the motor 31 operates in reverseLdrive shaft 38 imparts reverse turning movement to driven shaft 4|, and thepinion d'd'meshingwith the toothed portion 22 of rack bar i9 lwill cause this rack bar to be moved back a sufficient distanceV to release the `wheel |05 from the cam bar |0|,` after which the springs |01 will raise these parts and the pressure bar 85 to the full line position of Figure 1 and the dotted line position of Fig. 4, where drawing force is removed from the link orkrod 8| and the arm 25 is swung up by the spring 29 to raise the pressing iron` I0 from the material or garment supported and held upon the pressing buck 1. When the bar i9 has traveled back or upon its return movement a suflicient distance to cause spring 90 to move the body portion of the carriage I3 and draw the toggle link 86 away from the trip bar or arm` 89, the spring 88 will cause this toggle link 86 to move the latch member 83 downwardly into the recess 82 and the rack bar and the body portion of the carriage will then be locked to travel in unison.

As has been stated above, the moistening valve opening bar 50 is released'and the springs 53 raise this bar so that it is entirely out of contact with the roller 54, in consequence of which the moistening steam valve remains closed during the return movement of the carriage.

As the carriage approaches the extreme of its return movement, it is necessary that means be provided to stop movement of the carriage and the motivating parts, and I therefore provide an arm |08 pivoted to be swngably mounted in the path of movement of the roller |05 upon its return movement. This arm |08 cooperates with a cross lever |09 to engage and swing an arm ||0 on the shaft 62, which arm ||0 when swung moves the shaft 62 to a position to swing the arm 65' of the switch 39 to the off position and tol move the cam "I0 of the brake mechanism to a positionto permit the brake shoe or band 66 to engage with the drum. and stop rotation of the drive shaft, and consequently stop movement of the parts. If desired,-a spring bumper III can be provided at the return end of the` frame to cushion any return impact of the carriage, and to thus relieve possible strain upon 'therack 22, the pinion 44, and associated parts.

, stood. l

This machine and mechanism is admirably adapted for use in carrying out the method of my invention,4 and this method consists broadly 'in pressing a seam by opening and smoothing the edges of the materialat the seam from the line of stitching,moistening the material substantially along the line of the seam, and applying heat and direct static or stationary pressure to dry and set the material.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a machine and method which permits theoperatorto have free use of both hands for adjusting, Amanipulating and handling the material or garment andfor properly placing and loeating' the seamed portion, and with which the pressing operation is accomplished by direct static and immovable or stationary pressure, thus greatly increasing the eiiiciency of the machine and the operation, and saving time and cost in the operation.

l While I have herein shown and described only certain specic constructions and arrangements of the mechanism and have set forth only certainV possible steps in the method, it will be appreciated that changes and variations can be made to suit different'requirements of use withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention. l I claim:

AV machine for pressing seams comprising, a support to` receive and hold the seamed material to be pressed, a heated pressing means movable 13o-travel in a line along the length of said support and separated from'pressing contact therewith to smooth'back the seamed edges against the body of the material, means to'apply moisture-along the line of the seam, means to stop travel of said pressing means when the seamed material has been smoothed, means to apply direct pressure to force the stopped pressing means against the-material over the seam as held by the support to thus dry and press the material, means to release the pressure upon the pressing means, and means to return the iron to the starting position following the release of the pressure to thus avoid sliding the iron over the goods.

2. Amachine for opening and pressing seams comprising, an elongated buck having one end extending to receive and hold the seamed material to be pressed, an elongated pressing iron movable to travel along the length of said buck with a pressure insuicient for finished pressing and yet suiicient to open out and smooth back the seamed edges against the body of the material, means to Iapply moistu/re directly along the line of the seam, means to stop travel of said iron when the seam has been opened and moistened, means to stop the application of moisture, means to apply direct pressure to force the stopped iron against the material having the open yseam supported vby the buck to thus press the material, means to release the pressure upon lstarting position following the release of the pressure to thus avoid sliding the iron over the goods. v

3. A machine for pressing seams comprising, a

support to receive and hold the seamed material to be pressed, a heated pressing iron movable to travel above and in a direct line along the length oi and ou't of, pressing contact with said support to spread and smooth back the seamed edges against the body of the material, means to apply moisture along the line of the seam as opened, means to stop travel of said iron when the seam has been opened and moistened, means to apply direct pressure to force the stopped heated iron down against the material and upon the seam as held by the support to thus dry and press the material, and means operable tol bodily lift the iron from contact with the goods upon completion of the pressing operation. 4. A machine for opening and pressing seams in trousers legs and the like comprising, an elongated support to receive and hold the seamed leg with the seamed edges disposed outwardly and extending longitudinally, a heated pressing iron movable to travel in a line along the length of said support, means to hold said iron in position during such travel to open out and smooth back the seamed edges against the body of the material, means to progressively apply moist steam along the line of the seam during the opening step, means to stop travel of said iron when the seam has been opened and moistened, means to stop application of steam, means to apply direct downward pressure to force the stopped iron against the material over'the open seam as supported by the buck to thus dry and press the material, means operable to release the pressure from the iron, means to raise the iron bodily from pressing contact with the material, and means to return the iron to the starting position following the raising of the same to thus avoid sliding the iron over the goods.

5. A seam pressing machine comprising, an elongated stationary heated support to receive the material to be pressed and to support the same with a two edged seam uppermost and longitudinally disposed, an elongated iron movable longitudinally in proximity to said support and in line with the direction of the extent oi the seam, means to move said iron along the length of the seam to spread and open the edges of the seamed material and smooth the same down upon the body of the material on opposite sides of the line of stitching, means to supply heat to said iron, means associated with said iron to moisten the material along the line of stitching progressively as the iron travels and spreads the seamed edges, and means to apply direct and static pressure through the heatedV iron directly upon the material at the opened and smoothed and moistened seam to dry and press the material.

6. A seam pressing machine comprising, a heated elongated stationary supporting buck to receive and hold the material to be pressed and to support the same with a two edged seam uppermost and longitudinally disposed, an clongated heated iron movable longitudinally in line with the direction oithe extent of the seam, means to move said iron along the length oi lthe seam with a pressure insuicient for finished pressing to 4open and spread the edges of the seam and smooth the same downupon the body of the material on opposite sides of the line of stitching as the iron is moved, means to supply groans heat to said iron, means to supply heat to the supporting buck, means associated with said iron to meisten the material along the line of stitching as the iron travels and spreads the seamed edges, means to stop the moistening operation,

means to apply direct and static pressure through the heated iron directly upon the material at the opened and smoothed and moistened seam to dry and press the material, `means to lift and thus directly release the pressure of the iron, and means to return the released iron to the starting position. f

7. A machine for pressing the longitudinal seams of trousers legs and the like comprising, an elongated supporting buck to receive and hold the seamed material with the edges oi the seam extending longitudinally thereof and presented upwardly, an elongated hollow iron movable longitudinally of and above the buck and thus substantially in line with the line of stitching of the seamed material supported thereon and also movable upwardly and downwardly away from and toward said support, means to move said iron in forward seam opening travel along the length of said support to enter between the edge of the seamed material to open the seam and smooth back said edges without applying finishing pressing force, means to supply moisture through the forward end of the pressing face of iron during the forward travel to thus moisten the material along the line of stitching as the seam is opened, means to stop the forward travel of the iron upon completion of the seam opening movement, means to stop the supply of moisture, means to supply steam to said hollow iron to heat the iron, and means to move said iron toward the support to apply pressure to clamp the stopped iron tightly against the opened seamed material as held by the support.

8. A machine for pressing the longitudinal seams of trousers'legsI and the like comprising, an elongated support to receive and hold the seamed material with the edges of the seam extending longitudinally thereof and presented outwardly, an elongated iron movable longitudinally of the support and thus substantially in line with the line of stitching of the seamedmaterial` supported thereon and also movable upwardly and downwardly away from and toward said support, means to move said iron in forward seam opening travel over the length of said support to enter between the edges of the seamed material to open the seam and smooth back said edges without applying pressing force, means to supply moisture during the forward travel of the iron to thus moisten the material along the line of stitching as the seam is opened, means to cut off the supply of moisture when the iron has reached its full forward travel, means to stop the forward travel of the iron upon completion of the seam opening movement, means to apply direct pressure to clamp the stopped iron tightly against the opened seam of the material as held by the support, means to release the pressure, and means to return the iron to the starting position following completion of the pressing operation and release of the pressure.

9. A machine for pressing seams comprising, an elongated support to receive and hold the material to be pressed, an elongated hollow iron provided with steam escape passages through the forward end of the pressing face, a steam supply connection to said iron, means to move said iron forward longitudinally slightly above the support and to stop the forward movement when said iron is above said support, means to open the steam-escape passages at the beginning of the forward. movement and to close said passages at the advanced end of the forward movement, and means to move the stopped iron into pressing relation to exert direct pressure at the end of the forward movement. Y

l0. A machine for pressing seams comprising,

an elongated support to receive and hold the material .to be pressed, an elongated hollow iron having-steam escape passages through the pressing face adjacent to its forward end, a steam supply connection to saidr iron, means to move f said iron forwardly longitudinally slightly above .the support to spread and smooth down the seamed edges of :seamed material held on the elongated support, means to open the steam escape passages at commencement of the forward movement of the iron and to close said passages at the advanced end of the forward movement, means to stop forward movement of said iron when the iron has moved to a position tobring the major portion of its length above said support, means to move the stopped iron bodily downwardly into pressing relation to exert direct pressureiupon the material held by the support after forward movement of the iron is stopped,-

means to release the pressing force upon the iron, and means to return the iron in reverse travel to its starting position.

l1. A machine for pressing seams comprising, an elongated hollow vsupport to receive and hold the material to be pressed, an elongated hollow iron having steam escape passages through the pressing face adjacent to its forward end, a steam supply connection to said iron, a steam supply connection to said hollow support, means to move said iron forwardly longitudinally slightly above the support to spread and smooth down the seamed edges of seamed material held on' the elongated support,l means to open the steam escape passagesv at commencement of the forward movement of the iron and to close said passages at the advanced end of the forward movement, means to stop forward movement of said iron when the iron has been moved to bring its length over and above said support, means to move the stopped iron bodily downwardly into pressing relation to exert direct pressure upon the material held by the support after forward movement of the iron is stopped, means to release the pressing force upon the iron, means to return the iron in reverse travel to its starting position, and foot operated control means to actuate the parts to initiate forward and reverse travel of said iron.

12. A garment seam pressing machine comprising, an elongated supporting frame, an elongated hollow pressing buck fixedly carried at one end of the frame with one end thereof extending to receive and support a part of a seamed garment such as a trousers leg, a carriage movably mounted to travel longitudinally on said frame, an elongated pressing iron mounted upon the carriage at an elevation above the pressing buck and independently movable to raised and lowered positions, means to move said carriage to positio-n the iron over the pressing buck, means to supply moisture to a garment supported on the pressing buck during forward movement of the iron, means to supply heat to the iron and the pressing buck, means to stop movement of the carriage whenv the pressing iron is over the pressing buck, means to directly lower the pressing iron upon the pressing buck to exert pressing force upon seamed material supported by the pressing buck, means to raise said pressing iron kfrom the pressing position upon completion of the pressing operation, and means to move the carriage rearwardly to Withdraw the pressing iron from its position of proximity to the pressing buck.

13. A garment seam pressing machine for opening' and pressing long seams in the legs of trousers and the like comprising, an elongated supporting frame, trackways mounted longitudinally on said frame, an elongated work supporting pressing buck carried atv one end of the frame and having a portion thereof extending to have the seamed leg of the trousers or other garment tted thereon with the seamed edges presented outwardly, a carriage movable upon said trackways, an elongated hollow pressing iron mounted upon said carriage at an elevation above the pressing buck, steam supply connections to said iron, said iron having steam escape openings through the pressing face thereof at its forward end, nioitor means to move said carriage along the trackways to cause forward travel of said carriage to move said iron to a position over the pressing buck, means operable upon movement of the carriage to open the steam passages and to close the same at the end of the forward movement of the iron, means to stop movement of the iron when said iron has been brought to a position with the greater portion of its length over the pressing buck, said iron being movably mounted upon the carriage, means to lower the pressing iron against the pressing buck after the forward movement of the iron has been stopped to thus exert direct pressing pressure through the iron, manually'actuatable means to release the pressing pressure upon the iron, and means to reverse the motor means to move said carriage to return the Ipressing iron to its starting position.

14. A machine for pressing seams comprising, a support to receive and hold the seamed material to be pressed, a heated pressing iron movable to travel above and in a direct line along the length of and out of pressing contact with said support to spread and smooth back the: seamed edges against the body of the material, means to stop travel of said iron when the desired length of the seam has been opened, means to apply direct pressure to force the stopped heated iron down against the material and upon the seam as held by the support to thus press and set the material, and means operable to bodily lift the iron from Contact with the goods upon completion of the pressing operation.

15. A machine for pressing seams comprising, a supporting frame, an elongated work support carried at one end of the frame and having an end extending longitudinally of the frame to receive and hold the seamed material to be pressed, a carriage movably mounted for longitudinal travel on said frame in a line substantially parallel With the longitudinal extent of the Work support, an elongated heated pressing iron supported by the carriage at an elevation above the work support and movable to raised and depressed positions, means to move said carriage to carry the pressing iron to travel above and in a line along the length of and out of pressing contact with said support to spread and smooth back the seamed edges against the body of the material, means to stop travel of said carriage when the seam has Lbeen opened tothe desired length,

means to directly lower and depress the heated pressing iron to force the stopped heated iron down against the material and upon the seam as held by the work support to thus atwise press and dry the material, means operable to bodily lift the iron from contact with the goods upon completion of the pressing operation, and means operable to move the carriage back to longitudinally Withdraw the iron from proximity to the work support when thus raised.

SALVATORE CHINNICI. 

